Tai chi and Qigong

Linkinhorne Parish Hall Wednesdays 2-3pm
With Kath Revell, aka Ninja Granny

The style of Tai chi that I teach is called Chen style, which is the oldest style. The style you usually come across in the UK is Yang style, which is the style I started with back in 1991. I switched to Chen style in 2013 when I met my current teachers, Karel and Eva Koskuba, who are recognised disciples of the 19th Grandmaster of Chen style Tai chi, whose name is Chen Xiao Wang.
Chen style is similar to Yang style in that the movements are slow and controlled and are coordinated from the centre of the body, called the “dantien”. Both are martial arts and both are good for balance and relaxation. Where they differ is that Chen style has more coiling, spiralling movements than Yang style, and Chen style contains the occasional fast, explosive move, called “fajin”.
The form we are practising is the Laojia form, which means “old form”. It is the foundation of Chen style tai chi, originating in 1580. The whole form is made up of 74 patterns. The first 15 patterns (this is what we are focussing on at the Upton Cross class) make up the short form. It is a great feeling when you can do the short form yourself – it does take several months to learn but it is worth
persevering!
The Upton Cross class has been going for about 3 years so some of the participants already know the short form, which is helpful if are a beginner . We start the class with gentle Qigong breathing exercises and a standing posture. Then we do some silk reeling exercises. These were invented by
Chen Xiao Wang and are repetitive, circular moves that give you the feel of the flow of Tai chi. Then we focus on one or two of the patterns in the short form and learn or improve them. Then we do the whole of the short form so you can experience a longer sequence and see how it all fits together. We finish with more Qigong breathing exercises. And for those who want to, there is an opportunity to stay on for 10 minutes at the end of the class and learn the fan form, which is excellent fun!
Tai chi is suitable for all ages and abilities. It’s a very pleasant form of exercise but it is so much more than exercise. The movements are gentle on the body and beautiful and easy to do (well it looks easier than it is…) It’s especially lovely to do Tai chi outside, which we do when the weather is fine.
It is incredibly good for you on every level – there is more and more research about the health benefits of Tai chi and I’m pleased that it’s becoming more recognised. It’s a very sociable thing to do too.
I have a Youtube channel called “Ninja Granny Tai chi” which is a resource for if you want to learn the sequences – the playlist “Tai chi by Numbers” shows the individual patterns of the Laojia form filmed from the front and back to make it easy to copy.
Please feel free to contact me if you want to know more or to book into the class. I also run other classes in Liskeard, Dobwalls, Trewidland and Looe. Please visit my website for details –
www.ninjagranny.org
Tel 01579 340591 / 07729 907056
email me: click here